Artifacts from Nineteenth-Century America

Description

Artifacts from 19th Century America examines a broad array of objects representing various aspects of 19th century American society. The objects have been chosen to illuminate daily life in a number of categories including cooking, entertainment, grooming, clothing and accessories, health, household items, religious life, work, and education. The book's 53 entries include a brief introduction to the background of the object, when and why it was made, and who used it, followed by a detailed description of the object itself. Finally, each entry provides a deep dive into the object's significance and how the object reveals clues about the social, political, economic, and intellectual life of the society in which it was produced and utilized. Students and general readers alike will not only learn about the time period but also learn to use the skills of material culture theory and method, including how to draw meaningful conclusions from each object about their historical context and significance. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Preface Introduction How to Evaluate Artifacts Chronology of Events Communications 1 Cartoon on Yellow Journalism 2 Telegraph Key 3 Telephone 4 Valentine’s Day Card Cooking and Food 5 Butter Churn 6 Cookstove Advertisement 7 Oyster Plate Entertainment 8 Baseball Card 9 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Poster 10 Godey’s Magazine 11 Piano 12 Souvenir from the Centennial Exhibition Grooming, Clothing, and Accessories 13 Portable Bathtub 14 Corset 15 Mourning Jewelry 16 Native American War Shirt 17 Shaving Mug 18 Beaver Fur Top Hat Health and Medicines 19 Civil War Surgical Instruments and Case 20 Nightmare Turtle Magic Lantern Slide 21 Patent Medicine—Cocaine Toothache Drops 22 Phrenology Head Household Items 23 Electric Light Bulb 24 Reclining Chair Patent Model 25 Sampler 26 Sewing Machine 27 Sideboard Political and Civic Life 28 Civil War Draft Wheel 29 Confederate Battle Flag 30 Frederick Douglass Frontispiece 31 Political Equality Spoon Religious Life 32 The Fall of Man Title Page 33 Birth and Baptismal Certificate 34 Christmas Tree Ornament 35 Shaker Chair Slavery and Servitude 36 Cotton Gin 37 Indenture Document 38 Slave Ankle Shackles 39 Uncle Tom’s Cabin Title Page Tools and Weapons 40 California Gold Rush Balancing Scale 41 Gatling Rapid Fire Gun 42 John Wilkes Booth’s Deringer 43 Typewriter 44 Whiteley Harvester Patent Model Transportation and Travel 45 Bicycle Pin 46 Covered Wagon 47 Steamboat Sketch 48 Transcontinental Railroad Gold Spike Work and Education 49 Lowell Offering Title Page 50 Indian Boarding School Drawing of George Washington 51 Scrimshaw Sperm Whale Tooth 52 Student’s Writing Slate Glossary Selected Bibliography Index